Storm Chandra' is coming towards the end of the week.. Sudden storm threat warning for 13 counties in Ireland: Met Eireann

'Storm Chandra' is coming towards the end of the week.. Sudden storm threat warning for 13 counties in Ireland: Met Eireann

Days after Storm Bram battered the country, Ireland is bracing for another bout of stormy weather.

If it reaches significant intensity, it could become the third named storm of the season in Ireland - 'Storm Chandra'. Storms are officially named when orange or red warnings are issued for medium to high-impact weather such as strong winds, heavy rain or snow. Storms are named by the UK's Met Office and the Netherlands Meteorological Service.

Met Eireann has issued a number of weather warnings covering 13 counties ahead of a strong approach - including a rare 30-hour warning.

According to the National Weather Service, "unstable weather conditions are likely to continue for the remainder of this week and into next week." It noted that Saturday through Monday night was a particularly unstable period, prompting two new weather warnings.

The first warning - a status yellow rain alert - will last from 6pm on Saturday until midnight on Sunday, lasting for 30 hours. It covers counties Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Donegal.

Met Eireann says the warning is due to the "force of heavy rainfall", adding that the risk of flooding is increasing due to high water levels in rivers and saturated soil. Potential impacts in these counties include river and surface water flooding, travel difficulties and poor visibility.

A second Status Yellow Rain Alert has also been issued, lasting from midnight on Sunday until 3am on Monday - another unusually long period of 27 hours. The warning covers the towns of Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, while the same warning of heavy rain, the risk of flooding and hazardous travel conditions has been issued.

For more information: www.met.ie/warnings

Some clear and dry weather will start early on Saturday. However, it will become cloudy, with scattered showers and drizzle. Temperatures will range from 8C to 12C on Saturday. 

Sunday will start wet and foggy, with scattered showers. Then dry and clear weather will prevail in the evening. Rain will be heaviest and most persistent in Munster and southern Leinster, with a risk of flooding. Highs of 11C to 13C.

Next week will be an unsettled period, leading to wet and windy weather. Rainfall levels are forecast to be much higher than normal across the country.